Lindsay Tuggle
Staff Writer
Hannah Rascher
“Kamusta ka” is not a common greeting overheard here in Malibu. However, to freshman physical education major Hannah Rascher, it is very familiar.
The greeting is in Cebuano, a dialect of Tagalog, the main language of the Philippines. Rascher learned much of this language, along with a variety of other things, while growing up with her missionary parents in the small island nation.
A self-proclaimed “genuine” person, Rascher has spent the majority of her life in the Phillipines. While she admits to have hated it as a young child, she now believes that her experience living among people of a different culture has given her a view of the world that few people can claim.
What was it like growing up away from what you knew as your home country?
I didn’t like it at first. We moved around a lot and so it was hard to make new friends. But now I am thankful because I have experienced more than most people have at my age and it has shaped me into who I am today.
Do you consider the Philippines your home?
Yes, even though we didn’t stay in the same place for long. We spent most of the time on the south island, but lived in the capital of Manila for a while as well. My parents are there now. We only came to the States for short periods of time, if at all. So yes, it is my home.
There have been increasing terrorist and crime threats in the Philippines.
Did you ever feel unsafe while you were there?
Well, there were a lot of things you can’t do there that would be safe here, like walking around at night or taking public transportation by yourself. One time we had to evacuate from the south where the threat was the worst, but we still felt like it was safe most of the time.
What was your favorite part about the Philippines?
The people. They are so different than Americans. They are more content with what they have. They enjoy their life more and aren’t concerned about most of the stuff that people here are.
Was it hard leaving to come to Pepperdine?
It was. I am very close to family because we usually only had each other to lean on. Also, the friends I made at my missionary high school were from all over the world, so once we graduated, we all went back to our countries. It’s hard to keep in touch with so many people in so many different places.
How is Malibu different than where you come from?
The people are so much more materialistic. But I like it. There are a lot of diverse people in Southern California. I like being able to be surrounded by different people. I’m used to it.
How have you had to adjust to life here?
I don’t know about some things that most students here do. Like for instance, people will be talking about a certain movie star and I’ll have absolutely no clue who they are. But I do really like it here, and I want to stay for a long time.
Because you lived your entire life abroad, how do you think your view of the world is different than that of other Pepperdine students?
It definitely helped me to see that there is more to life than what you own. I can also relate to different kinds of people, regardless of race or background or whatever. Mainly it just made me realize that you shouldn’t just accept what you see around you. There is so much to this world and there is always more out there.
02-02-2005
